Govt to take strict action against substandard fairness creams: Tarar

ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Saira Afzal Tarar on Thursday vowed to take strict action against skin whitening products and fairness creams.

Speaking during a session in the National Assembly, she said that skin whitening and fairness creams contain harmful chemicals causing several diseases including skin cancer. She said that provincial governments should develop a mechanism and take action against substandard and hazardous products.

The state minister filed a reply in the National Assembly calling for action under Drug Act 1976 which lays down laws against fairness creams including bleach creams. She said that sale of such products should be monitored and samples should be taken for laboratory tests.

Several low-key companies often resort to psychological manipulation to sell their substandard products. However, many women have vowed not to use such products again after learning about their harmful consequences, while female legislators of Sindh Assembly have called for complete ban on such products.